Syrumani........go get a bale of peat moss 2.2 cubic feet..........and use 1-1-1 for a mix. You don't have to use Ken's mix..................
November Blooms 4
Syrumani--not to worry-these plants are tougher than they look--I drop them with regularity so I know this! Short term, you can wrap the roots in a damp paper towel. If you are talking more than a few days, you can try the perlite--I just plunk them in a container with a little water. I had a mini trailer in water in the window all summer...just recently potted it up.
Unknown strep as usual
I've BEEN looking! I don't really feel it is necessary to use Ken's mix anymore, and would like to mix my own. The thing is, all the "stuff" that is recommended in putting in your own mix is hard to find around here. I have found the bales of spagnum peat at Lowes, but the only perlite they have has miracle-gro in it! I've even been scouring Walmarts for the AV mix there, thinking I could mix what perlite I have left with it, and use it for emergencies only . . . the bag I found once had miracle-gro in it, and I haven't seen that since!
Any ideas on where to get dolomite lime in powder form? I've found it online . . . I wonder if all hydroponics-type stores carry that?
I have one or two local nurseries to call - the ones I've emailed have so far failed to answer . . .
I'm curious about the potting mix and perlite with miracle-gro in it. Is there a problem using it?
I've got my leaves in a mix of av mix, perlite (both Miraclo-Gro) and vermiculite: 1-1-1. Sometimes I add a little more perlite. The leaves that have babies, I feed a very weak solution of fert. (1/4 teasp. to gallon water) and water every other week. if needed. They are in a covered foil pan. They seem to be doing OK.
Why don't growers like the added miralcle-gro?
Curious minds want to know. LOL
I didn't take time to look at the bag contents, but I think part of the issue is . . . and this is only an observation . . . people are not wanting to use violet food that has urea in the nitrogen. Next time I see the bag, I'll take a closer look at the contents.
For myself, I have my own violet food already, and just don't want to mix . . .
Gail - Fanick's Garden Center here in town has bio-tone for $9.99. I'm going to go there in the next day or so to see if they have the other one you were looking for.
They don't have the pro-mix I was wanting, but the guy said they have some Fafard professional formula, the bio-tone, dolomite lime, etc. So, I'm going to take my lunch hour to look at the websites for those items . . .
We don't like miracle-gro B/C we know the preferences of the plants we are growing, and we know the condition of plants vary, requiring varied types of care. While many might thrive with miracle-Gro's formula, just as many will benefit from a different one' Also, it does not take into account the grower's habits, preferences, or growing environments. Using miracle grow preparations would be synonymous with like say....feeding all babies cow's milk. Guess this is my new soapbox issue-LOL! Syrumani--try a tropical fish supplier for dolomite--I use it for my african cichlids.
See, I knew someone more familiar with the issue would have more info to add!
Really? How much is it? Is it powder or granules?
I buy dolomite in 20 lb bags in gravel form--it is small gravel--even my baby fish can pick it up and move it. I'm sure you can order it in powder form in smaller amounts-just don't know where--the 20 lb bag is @$20.00.
Cedar Creek Violets were selling Dolomite lime at MAAVS.......bought a container. So I checked their website and they do have it listed here: http://www.orderafricanviolets.com/Plant%20Food.htm
24 oz. for $4. They also sell perlite, vermiculite and potting soil.
That is good to know, though. The guy at Fanick's said he has the dolomite lime in powder form for $5-7 for a 4-5lb bag. I'll see what else he has, too.
Thanks for the info, av_ocd_girl. MAAVS would have been a bit of a drive! LOL!! But, I did find another online supplier that has the dolomite lime powder - a 1 lb bag - for $1.99. I don't know if that is a good price or not, but after shipping costs, I'd probably be better off getting the bigger bag locally for the same cost. Did they say though, or is it on the container you got, how much to use?
This message was edited Nov 25, 2008 2:58 PM
OH NO-- after you were so kind to send me the potting mix--I feel so bad!! I wish there was some way I could help out Syrumani!! btw I have the miracle grow perlite--bought it before I realized it had fertilizer in it-- NPK =. 04,.01,.06. It does not say that the nitrogen is derived from urea-- HOWEVER the fertilizer bit is in small print--I don't think I missed it.
Syrumani..........I found everything on line on ebay. I got the Plant tone and Jan sent me the bio dome..............then I found a fertilizer with no urea in it by Better Gro on ebay...........
You almost have to get to a nursery to find the big bags of perlite and vermiculite. They are about 17.00 each and last for two years............I certainly don't need any lime down here with our alkalinity water................I doubt that you do either?
From the ph testing I did a few weeks back, I noticed that the water itself is a good 6.5-ish. But when I did the ph testing recommended in the Growing To Show book, the results were in the low 5's . . . which is a bit low for AV's. I just need something to bump up the ph a little. I suppose I could always get the ph adjuster stuff for fish water, and raise it that way?
Oh, don't worry about it, Hillbilly_Gran . . . I had honestly hoped I would have soil by the time you even got your box! I put what soil I get get up back into the pot, and left the whole tray on the floor where it would be safe. I'll fill the hole with a bit of perlite/vermiculite mix once I get home.
Oh, it was so cute. DS was watching tv with DD, when I guess he heard me cry out as the tray was falling. He came in and said "oh, no!". He went and got a towel for me, and when he handed it to me he said "I'm sorry, mommy". It told him it was sweet that he said so, but it wasn't his fault, and mommy should have been more careful, etc.
That is amazing that you have such acidic water as mine is so alkaline........glad you tested it. I let mine sit all night before I use it.......don't know what that does to it but plants do better.
I let mine sit out all night, too (or all day). It is supposed to give the chlorine in the tap water time to evaporate. I know I have hard water . . . I wonder if that is part of the problem . . . that's the next thing I'll test for, I think.
Is there anyone out there with pictures? The av forum is mighty quiet these days.........or maybe I need to check for new threads.............
Gail,you should make me a list of things your looking for.I just bought the Better Gro fertilizer.in Lowes a month ago when I was the city.Nothing blooming at my house.^_^
Anyone see plantladylin around?
No, Gail - it is very quiet today . . . I have my camera with me, and I've been playing with the macro setting, but I don't have the usb cable with me to hook up to my work pc. Once I get home, I'll upload what I've got, though!
we should all make lists of things we want to get,
mine grows and grows all the time
JIM
Good idea Jim.Someplace's you can pick up things so easy and other place's it's almost impossible to get the same things..Like course perlite c.vermiculite and pro mix in my area &%$$......LOL..... ^_^
I'd love to have the pro-mix . . . that is what I asked for when I called the garden center. He said they had access to it, but would need to order it. That's when he told me about the Fafard they have. Seems to me someone in this forum said they used Fafard, but since the search feature appears to be temporarily disabled, I can't search for it!
What is fafard?
JIM
I would imagine that she is overwhelmed with cooking, etc for Thanksgiving. My family is coming in Friday morning although I have a friend here since Sunday just visiting.
You are going to love that fertilizer. I can't get over that I can actually see the difference in a few days. I think I have everything I need to 'make pretty flowers' (LOL)
Fafard is a brand name, Jim of various products. Many commercial people use this peat moss.
While you are here, I Know that a purple strep is just another purple strep unless it has spots or something on it.........but take a look at the purple bloom without a name, please.
forget it--nothing working--was posting some pics, but they wont post :-(
This message was edited Nov 25, 2008 9:04 PM
This message was edited Nov 25, 2008 9:11 PM
This is the link for what the guy today has in stock: http://www.fafard.com/index.php?p=17
The guy also said that the bio-tone here: http://www.espoma.com/content.aspx?type=p&id=37&intCategoryID=2 would add the same nutrients as the pro-mix bx. Has anyone used this in their mix? If so, did it make a difference?
Oh, I hope this doesn't turn out fuzzy!
yes..............bio tone makes a big difference............I have just tried it and it works............
Wowser on your macro lense!
This message was edited Nov 25, 2008 9:40 PM
Holy macro batman! Now I'ma skerred of my new camera 8mp! :-o
phoebesviolets - imagine how much better this shot will be with 8.0MP!!!!
Thanks, Gail. We were notified at work today that we get to leave at 3pm tomorrow . . . so I will stop by Fanick's tomorrow to pick up the Fafard's and the bio-tone.
It was quiet today--usually I am home and in and out of DG --but today went to Harrison(40 mi) found the plant tone at HD--no Bio Tone. I went all over town for the liquid seaweed i wanted --ended up ordering it online at esbenshades--they have a lot of stuff I can't find locally and they ship to my PO box--important since i do not have a "physical address" and even if I did-- a ups truck would never be able to get down in here. This is from the same company that Lin posted the link for the Natures Organics fertilizers "buy 1 get 1 free" Which I did ^_^(http://www.esbenshades.com/onlineshopping/index.asp) The natures organics has the mycorrhizal fungi so at least the plants will get it from there. This company has the plant tone--but not the bio tone--and it's cheaper by $2 than HD--which would help with shipping costs, which didn't seem too outrageous when compared to other sites. Actually they charged just the cost of shipping plus a $1 handling charge. They have a link where you can let them know what you are looking for too--so perhaps they can get the bio tone.
Plant tone without bio dome is great.................you don't have to get the bio tone as the plant tone has the kelp and something else you need...................if you have both, I was told to use 2 tablespoons os plant tone and 1 tablespoon of bio tone on a big dish pan full of mix..........Syrumani, I know you can find the big coarse perlite and big vermiculite this weekend at a good nursery......they all cary them.
Great Macro shot Syrumani!!
Well, Peridot's Darth Vader is getting there. LOL
Indide the opening bud.
Irish Nights
close-up
Little Misty Blue
Music Box Dancer
